Hottentot

[ hot-n-tot ]

noun

1. Khoikhoi.

Hottentot

/ ˈhɒtənˌtɒt /

noun

1. See Khoikhoi
   -tot-tots a former name for Khoikhoi
2. any of the languages of this people, belonging to the Khoisan family

Usage

When referring to the people the accepted word nowadays is Khoikhoi . Hottentot continues to be used for some animal and plant names, as in Hottentot fig

Other Words From

• Hotten·totic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hottentot¹

1670–80; < Afrikaans; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hottentot¹

C17: from Afrikaans, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Some scorpions, birds, fishes and flowers are known by the label Hottentot.

From Science News For Students

Some scorpions, birds, fishes and flowers are known by the label Hottentot, a term of abuse for Indigenous Khoikhoi people in southern Africa.

From Science News

Displays of malformations were obviously often strikingly offensive, none more so than the “Hottentot Venus.”

From The Daily Beast

She will have to decide now if she will become a Hottentot Venus or an ethnic version of a white ho.

From The Daily Beast

Yet its cranial capacity is far above that of the highest apes, and is assimilated with that of Hottentot and Polynesian skulls.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally, the Hottentot mission was transferred to Bethelsdorp, where steady progress was made.

From Project Gutenberg

The face nearly resembled that of a Hottentot, but the body was covered all over with a sort of grey wool.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the Hottentot saw his chance, and leaving his hiding place he ran like lightning to his home, which was only a mile distant.

From Project Gutenberg

To threaten a disobedient servant with the jambok—be he Hottentot, Fingo, or Caffre—is to bring him back to kneeling obeisance.

From Project Gutenberg